Speech by Chris Hynds

Speech Type: Groom
Speech Creator: Chris Hynds
Speech Date: 29/04/2010 16:12:21

Thank you Neil for your kind words.

Distinguished guests, relatives, friends and freeloaders

On behalf of my wife and I, thank you all for joining us today to celebrate our marriage!
It's a privilege to be in the company of so many people that are important in our lives and we're delighted to welcome you here to share our special day with us.
It's great to see you all and I can honestly say it would not have been the same without you.

Events like today don't just happen. We have been planning this wedding for some time now. Well, I say “we”, Sarah actually did most of the work, as one of the best things about being a man is that weddings seem to organise themselves. So to Sarah and everyone else who has helped organise today I would like to say a big thank you.

Now as is custom, there will be a few toasts during my speech, so please don't neck the whole glass at the first toast…mentioning no names, Mum.
To start with, I would like to take this opportunity to say that unfortunately, there are some people close to our hearts who cannot be with us today. I know they would have enjoyed it immensely. Our thoughts are with them and we know that their thoughts are with us.
Ladies and gentlemen… please be upstanding & raise your glasses to ABSENT AND LOST, Family and Friends

Firstly to Cindy & John for making the cake im sure you will all agree that it looks lovely and we can't wait to taste it, please accept these flowers as a token of our appreciation.

Secondly to Sue and Simon for all of your help over the past few months and especially for today, getting all 3 flowergirls ready isnt an easy task. We have a little something for you which we hope you will accept.

On behalf of my wife and I, we would now like to thank both sets of parents as we wouldn't be where we are today if it wasn't for them. If we can become half the parents they are to us then I'm sure we won't go far wrong.

To Neil and Barbara
Traditionally I am supposed to thank you both at this point for welcoming me into your family, but it seems strange for me to do that today as you have both made me feel like a part of it for many……many years now. I genuinely could not have asked for nicer in-laws, and thank you for bringing Sarah up to become the women that I have married today. I love Sarah with all of my heart and will do everything I can to continue to make her happy. As a token of our appreciation please accept these flowers.

At this point I would also like to thank Sarah's bother James not only is he a fellow Spurs fan he's also like a brother to me so thank you.

To my Mum and Dad, A special thank you for all your love and support over the years. You've always been there when I've needed you. You've got me through thick and thin. I feel extremely lucky to have such wonderful parents. You have both taught me so much and have always encouraged me to make the most of every opportunity I have had. It must be very hard to come to terms that you raised such a perfect son. As a token of our appreciation please accept these flowers.

So, Ladies and Gentleman, please be upstanding and raise your glasses, to Neil & Barbara & Mike and Sandra.

That leads me on to the star of the today, my gorgeous new wife Sarah – I can't even begin to tell you how absolutely-stunningly gorgeous you look today. When I saw you coming up the isle I realized how lucky I am, looked at myself and realized that it is definitely me getting the best of this deal.

Sarah, I love you in so many ways and for so many reasons, you know me and understand me like no one else ever could, you make me laugh so hard and smile so often, you have a way of bringing out the very best in me, but mostly because you're my very best friend, my soul mate. I love you with all my heart. Thank you for marrying me and making me the happiest man alive and for loving me as much as I love you. I know this is the start of many more happy years together.

Whilst researching for this speech I came across a short verse written by Wilfred A Peterson called “The Art of Marriage”.

I would like to read this now to Sarah, but I feel the sentiments apply equally to us all.

The Art of Marriage

A good marriage must be created,
In the art of marriage the little things, are the big things.
It is never being too old to hold hands,
It is remembering to say, “I love you”, at least once each day,
It is never going to sleep angry,
It is having a mutual sense of values and common objectives,
It is standing together, facing the world,
It is forming a circle of love that gathers in the whole family,
It is speaking words of appreciation and demonstrating gratitude in thoughtful ways,
It is having the capacity to forgive and forget,
It is giving each other an atmosphere, in which each can grow,
It is finding room for the things of the spirit,
It is common search for the good and the beautiful,
It is not only marrying the right partner,
It is being the right partner.

Sarah, in front of all our friends and family I promise I will try my best to practice this art.

Ladies and Gentlemen, please be upstanding, for the most important toast I'm ever likely to make, TO MY WIFE MY BRIDE, TO SARAH.

 
Tradition now dictates that I now tell you an amusing story or two about Sarah. However, “her indoors” as I shall now be calling her, dictates that I do no such thing. But I will say this. We will have been together for 9 years and in that time I've learned a very valuable lesson.
Whenever I'm Wrong – Admit It!!
Whenever I'm Right – Keep Quiet!! And if you believe that you'll believe anything.

To our bridesmaids, Cheryl and Gemma I'm sure everyone will agree that you all look stunning today. Thank-you for your help and for being there for my new wife. I know how much support you have all given Sarah up to and including this day. A big thank you also to 3 of the prettiest little girls ( Amy, Tabitha & Molly) for being our flower girls. I'd like to just ask everyone to raise your glasses and join me in a toast
“The bridesmaids and flower girls”

A big thank you must also go to Rob, Dan, Zack and Ethan for helping to make today run so smoothly Sarah and I never had any doubt you could do it.

Finally To my best man Jay. I personally, would like to thank you for agreeing to be my best man, I couldn't have asked more from you. Last week he told me he was more nervous than me, so please feel free to heckle him during his speech and don't believe a word he says.

That's enough from me
I would like to thank you all once again and hope you have a great evening
It now gives me great pleasure to hand over to Jay.